Parent & Student Matters 

What's happening in the College? 

• Chinese New Year
• Science Club
• The Science Experience - for Year 9 & 10 students
• Year 11 Ancient History
• Duke of Edinburgh Award at St Pius X College
• Webinar on 'Dealing with Digital Overload'
• Maths Drop In
• After School Study Year 5 - 11

Chinese New Year

Last Friday saw SPX welcome in the ‘Year of the Ox”, with a presentation to the school about the current Chinese New Year celebrations. Beginning on 12 February, the Chinese Lunar New Year will run for 15 days, culminating with the infamous Lantern Festival. Like Christmas to Christians, the ‘Spring Festival’ is one of the most significant events in the Chinese community. It is a time to celebrate new beginnings with hope and optimism for the new year. At SPX, the College foyer has been decorated with spring couplets, red dahlia’s, red lanterns and lucky red envelopes, in an endeavour to create an auspicious learning environment for 2021.

Year 11 Chinese Language students, Jack Spurr, Charles Robson and Ronan Crispe and Year 12 students, Nathan Byrne, Dominic Panozzo, Max Williams and James Scaiff gave an informative bilingual talk about the significance of the Lunar New Year celebration. 

Many of our current Year 6 students were born in the Year of the Ox (2009). Oxen are believed to be patient, calm and hardworking people. The Year of the Ox is the time for everyone to work hard for their success, a message that was shared to encourage students to work to the best of their ability, with the College motto by ‘faith and hard work” a central theme to the assembly.

The Assembly finished with College Cultural Prefect, James Baldock and Alec Ramsbottom breaking the Wellbeing Fortune Cookie to read an auspicious horoscope for the year, “You may have to work a little harder than usual, but the rewards will be worth the effort. Exercise your physical and mental self for a healthy 2021.” In conclusion, we wish our community a Happy New Year.

gōng    xǐ    fā    cái

  恭       喜   发   财()！

Mrs Kara Manga - Languages Coordinator

Science Club 

Science Club started again last Thursday at lunchtime and we were excited to see many new faces to add to our many loyal members from last year. Our Year 12 Senior Leader group has also grown and we look forward to their experience and leadership this year. As it was the first Club meeting for the year, we used the time to brainstorm some new directions for the Club and some ideas of activities we could do throughout the year. We also have a Science Club Teams page to allow boys to share even more ideas. There were lots of ideas shared and we have decided that next fortnight our Year 12 Senior Leaders will showcase their electric motors and lead a session on electromagnetism. Any boys who would like to be added to or removed from the Science Club Teams group, please see Mrs Schuster. We look forward to seeing everyone back again next Thursday fortnight.

Mrs Jo Schuster - Science Coordinator

The Science Experience

The Science Experience is a fun 3 or 4 days of science activities for Year 9 and 10 students.

Each program is designed to provide students who have an interest in science with an opportunity to engage in a wide range of fascinating science activities under the guidance of scientists who love their work.

The program takes place in over thirty-five universities and tertiary institutions, within many different laboratories and lecture theatres across Australia. Participants perform experiments in the laboratories, meet and hear senior lecturers in the lecture theatres, attend site visits and walk around and experience what it is like to be on the campus of a university or tertiary institution.

The program also provides information about further studies in science, technology and engineering. It highlights the wide range of careers that allow students to pursue their interest and abilities in the sciences.

Dates are currently being released for the 2021 Experience; to keep up to date and register, go here: https://www.scienceexperience.com.au/

Mrs Jo Schuster - Science Coordinator

Year 11 Ancient History 

Year 11 Ancient History have embarked upon their preliminary Ancient History Course with great interest and enthusiasm.

The class were presented with the task of constructing a mystery box activity of primary and secondary sources for examples of ancient human remains, and in particular bog bodies found during the Iron Age in Northern Europe, the United Kingdom and Ireland. Presentations included some of the most significant finds including Tollund Man, Windeby Girl, Graubelle Man, Lindow Man, Old Croghan Man. 

Mr Jim Hartnett - History Teacher

Duke of Edinburgh Award at St Pius X College

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Program has started for 2021. Students who wish to join the program and are 14+, can see Mrs Manga for enrolment forms. 

There will be a Year 9 form meeting in the upcoming weeks where Mrs Manga (Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Coordinator) and Mr de Silva (Outdoor Education Coordinator) will address the students about how to join the Program.

Please see the 2021 timetable of Adventurous Journeys for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which will be run by Mr de Silva in the Outdoor Education Program. 

Mrs Kara Manga - Duke of Edinburgh's Award Convenor

Webinar on 'Dealing with Digital Overload'

Parents may be interested in attending a webinar on Dealing with Digital Overload.  It is a webinar for parents and carers of children aged 8 - 16 addressing such issues as possible impacts of increased 'screen time', why they find it hard to turn off and strategies to help wean children from screens.

For more information and to register, please use the link below:

Maths Drop-In 

All students in Years 7 - 12 are welcome to Maths Drop-in. The sessions will run each Tuesday & Thursday morning 7.40 am - 8.40 am in C1.

With assessments approaching fast, concepts are taught, practice papers are completed and problems are solved all with the company of your mates. 

This is the ideal place where students can come and feel comfortable to ask questions and nut out some challenging problems. Rewards are given, laughs are heard and words of encouragement are shared. Come along and be a part of the team in C1.

After School Study Year 5 - 11

All Year 5 - 11 students are invited to After School Study from 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm in the classroom above Student Reception.

During Term 1 this opportunity is available on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and concludes on Thursday 25 March.

Students must sign in on arrival and have sufficient work or reading material for an hour. Students are not permitted mobile phones or food in the study space.

Individual guidance with tasks is provided by Mrs Gunns.

Mrs Annabel Gunns - Diverse Learning Coordinator